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The Jaeger LMB Mystery (Update VI: Morris-Léon-Bollée !)

Martin IJdo from Historic Engineering Services is a professional who, among many other capabilities, specialises in the restoration of Jaeger instruments. But now and then even he runs into a problem. He has this beautiful speedometer for restoration that, judging from the casing, dates from the late 1920s, possibly early 1930s. The instrument bears a monogram that has the stylized letters L, M and B inside a ring gear. But what does this monogram mean? Do you read it as MLB, LBM or LMB? Have you seen one like this before and know what the letters stand for? Tell us!

Publié:
dimanche octobre 24th, 2010
Inconnu
27 Novembre 2010, 12:05
I came across this interesting site after Googling "Lesley Ballamy". The author of the 1st comment seems to know something about Ballamy - even his son's name. My question for him is this, "What are the links connecting Ballamy with George Brough of Brough Superior fame?" I believe they may have been associated from the late 1920s.
Sorry for butting in on this LMB mystery - now solved.
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Inconnu
26 Octobre 2010, 02:48
I think the significance of the M in front and in a different colour is that they are the Major share holder with Leon-Bollee being subsidiary.
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Inconnu
25 Octobre 2010, 21:20
Hi Martin. If you want to check a car I have the very thing for you... Just hire this one - it does not mean you have to get married! If you enlarge the pics the speedo is a Jaeger and appears to be the same type/layout as yours, but no sign of the logo. The hubcaps look the same and do have an engraved logo, but not clear enough to see what it is. Of course we don't know which model to look at and likely not all had the smart logo on the speedo, but my money is on the guys at Worthpoint being correct in their attribution. Link is:
www.lrm-collection.fr/Location-mariage-Morris-leon-bollee-Mlb-12-cv,1681,28,0.htm
I imagine the lack of a normal radiator badge is due to the shape of the LB radiator case, retained for the MLB. Regards, Paul.
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M. IJdo
25 Octobre 2010, 19:33
Wow, the hub cap is indeed a great find! And spot on as far as the time scale is concerned. So, let's say, 99% sure? What makes me wonder however (the remaining 1%), is that the crest in question was apearantly not used as such in MLB advertising of the era... As a matter of fact, one version, and i see it being used as bonnet badge too, is a combination of the Morris logo with the addition of the "Léon Bollée" bit; [url]http://www.reservoirpub.com/wp-content/gallery/morris-leon-bollee/290720_morris_robichon.jpg[/url]
More advertising examples can be found here; [url]http://www.reservoirpub.com/?page_id=227[/url] No crests around!?
I think the best way to find out is to find a complete car with the "MLB" crested hub cap atached to it?
Martin.
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Inconnu
25 Octobre 2010, 12:50
I did a little bit of research on these "crested monograms", as I see similar monograms on the cases of pocketwatches, and also in some of my photographs where this appears on the radiator of a Minerva and an attendants uniform. Normally this should be read as LBM,that wa the conventioned followed. But this is unusual, because the styling of the 'M' clearly differs and makes it prominent so as to be read first, making this MLB. Also unusual is the selection of another colour for 'M'. Usually these crests were engraved or embroidered. Some trivia added. Cheers harit
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Inconnu
25 Octobre 2010, 10:19
I can now confirm that the logo is Morris- Léon-Bollée as there is a hubcap with the identical MLB design here: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/early-brass-morris-leon-bollee-hub-cap-1
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Inconnu
25 Octobre 2010, 09:47
How about Morris-Léon-Bollée? This seems possible as the M is prominent. According to Bolster "Around 1925 the Léon Bollée factory was acquired by Lord Nuffield, and the cars were re-named Morris-Léon-Bollée. The principal model was the 80mm. x 120mm. (2,402 c.c.) 4-cylinder, but a few straight-eights were also built of 70mm. x 100mm. (3,072 c.c.). When Nuffield disposed of the factory, the name faded out, though Bollée piston rings are still made at Le Mans." (French Vintage Cars, 1964 edn.) The 120 kph speedo might have been justified for the 3 litre model!
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Inconnu
25 Octobre 2010, 08:00
Thanks for the suggestions so far. Isn't the internet a wonderful thing! I too love the "Google books" bit. But helas, despite the feedback, i'm not convinced it could be any of the before mentioned people. Fact remains that this speedo was manufactured somewhere during the (late) 20's. No earlier, as the type wasn't around yet, and definitely not post war either, for the type had been replaced well before the start of WW2. And no, I have no clue as to what car it belonged to. Normally a car brand would have been printed on the face, and I have yet to find a gauge that was actually “personalised” to the owner of the car. So my guess is that it would have to be a coachbuilder.
Martin.
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Inconnu
25 Octobre 2010, 05:27
I have found areferences to MLB - Moteur Landry-Beyroux at Google Books, but who only seemed to be active 1898 - 1902, who built cycle cars, but who also raced "Heavy" cars.

1898 Renaud de Montaignac killed May 2nd race driving a Landry-Beyroux (Heavy car) at the Course de Perigueux (Dordogne ) France
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Inconnu
25 Octobre 2010, 04:19
What car is it from ?
Who was the original owner ?
Are they his monogram put onto all his coachework, doorpanels etc., ?
Are they the automobile makers monogram ?
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Inconnu
24 Octobre 2010, 23:20
Hi,
I've never seen the logo before, but I believe it could be for the LMB, a car made by Leslie M. Ballamy or his son Mark in the late 50s/60s.
Leslie was famous for his "swing axle" front suspension which sold in hundreds, possibly thousands foe beam axle Fords, He also appled the same system to Bentleys, Bugattis and many others. The logo could have been attached to these components.
Jeff Jones
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